Daniela Samulski (GER) set the 17th world record of the 13th world championships with a 27.39 blast in her Hydrofoil in the first of the 50m back semis. That mark also set a record for Rome: Belgrade in 1973 had held the biggest tally of world records set at a world championships since FINA launched the global event back in 1973.

A few minutes later, Anastasia Zueva (RUS) and her X-Glide hit back in 27.38, the 18th world record of the meet. Ho hum.

Leila Vaziri (USA) set a world record of 28.16 in the semi-finals of the 50m backstroke at Melbourne 2007. Herasimenia went through in second place in 28.38.